Antoine Semenyo has a message for Ghana fans: don't expect the Black Stars to be anyone's shock story at this World Cup.
The Manchester City forward spoke ahead of Ghana's opening match against Panama, and he didn't mince words. “We don't want to end up as one of those teams on the review of the World Cup where they go on about the shock of the tournament,” he said. “We want to win and win well; it can set us up for a great tournament.”
Ghana crashed out in the group stage in 2022. That memory still stings. Semenyo knows another early exit would hurt even more, especially with the talent in this squad.
Panama might be the underdog on paper, but Semenyo isn't buying that narrative. “Panama won't be an easy game. They'll be up for it, they'll want to cause a shock, and we have to be right at it,” he warned.
The forward is one of the faces of Ghana's campaign. Former captain Asamoah Gyan recently said expectations would rest on Semenyo's shoulders. The 26-year-old accepts that pressure. “Pressure is on all of us as a team every time we pull on the Black Stars jersey,” he said. “We all know what it means to put on that Black Stars shirt! The fans are so passionate. If you give the ball away a few times and we don't get the win, people are going to have something to say.
That's just how it is, and we accept that.”
But he doesn't see it as a burden. “That pressure is a privilege,” Semenyo said. “It's what inspires us all to keep improving.”
Semenyo's family will be in the stands for the Panama game. “They're crazy when watching the games – it's loud at home and a time for the family to come together,” he said. “You couldn't believe the atmosphere when we scored – nothing beats it.”
Off the pitch, Semenyo has a new partnership with Ahmad Tea, a family-owned tea company. He says the brand's message about preparation matches his own philosophy. “Preparation is everything,” he explained. “Training properly, recovering thoroughly, eating right, studying your opponents, reflecting – letting time for things to breathe, brewing the plan of action. That is where we really align.”
Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama kicks off on [date]. A win would send a message to the rest of the tournament. Semenyo is ready. The question is: are the Black Stars?